Nothing protects your business like steel

Bank safes aren’t made from wood or stone – neither should your building be when you’re looking to protect and safely store what’s inside…

In an era where cybersecurity risks loom large and receive plenty of attention, it remains equally crucial to recognize the significance of physical security in safeguarding commercial and industrial facilities. The importance of protecting digital assets cannot be understated, as is fortifying physical walls and securing all points of access against threats, both internal and external. By enhancing access controls and adopting robust security measures, businesses can not only protect their valuable assets but also strengthen their bottom line. Pristine inventory and extending the life of essential equipment are ways to make financial performance stronger (both in terms of increasing revenues and lowering costs). When it comes to safeguarding your business facility, rely on the proven strength of steel.

Steel and concrete are the foundation of physical security measures

Everything stored inside your facility is essential to running your business, very expensive and, in some cases, irreplaceable. Equipment, raw materials, inventory, employees and financial records are essential assets that should never be subject to possible theft, damage or destruction. Therefore, the first line of defense in ensuring facility security lies in preventing unauthorized access. Employing physical barriers, such as steel doors, deadbolt and electronic locks, reinforced roofing and glass, is instrumental in deterring intruders. Burglars can be resourceful, employing various tactics to gain entry, from prying corners to breaking windows or scaling roofs. Along with alarm systems, security cameras, effective lighting, meticulous landscaping, a concrete foundation and strong steel walls form the integral components of your comprehensive physical security framework.

Preventing access to areas with sensitive information and records is the first step in keeping your facilities closed to everyone but those who are supposed to be there. Insider threats are becoming a larger concern and accidents often occur inadvertently. A well-designed internal layout with metal walls and controlled access systems allow operations to secure their facility, controlling who can go where, and when, and to create a record of the arrivals and departures within each area. Combining steel's physical strength with advanced technologies such as sensors and controlled entry locks creates precise access control, granting or limiting entry to sensitive areas based on factors such as position within the company and specific times of the day. The incorporation of such security measures during building construction ensures seamless integration and maximizes effectiveness.

Higher strength and lower repair costs create value

Cold-formed steel is the ideal material for constructing robust physical barriers. With steel as a primary building material, facilities are better suited to prevent accidental and weather-related damage and to ward off intruders. And if the worst happens, either by accident or vandalism, only the damaged steel panels in the affected area need to be replaced and can be done quickly and affordably without interruption to business operations. Repairs to buildings made with wood or brick are more extensive and costly, requiring more materials and time to regain structural integrity and top-level security. 

Read the CBC News article about how vandals caused $2 million in damages to Calgary’s City Hall that took months to repair.

Pre-engineered steel construction offers additional advantages in safeguarding facilities and the people within. High-quality non-combustible materials such as poured concrete and steel framing provide exceptional fire resistance. Metal structures can withstand fires for two to three hours, ensuring the highest levels of safety and providing more time for people to escape and emergency services to minimize damage. 

Moreover, steel's inorganic nature makes buildings more resistant to biological threats. Organic materials like wood require more maintenance, can rot or be destroyed by mice and termites, and serve as hosts for mold. Steel's waterproofing benefits minimize the presence of moisture, thereby mitigating the likelihood of mold formation or other bacteria and pests that can destroy cloth or food inventory. Investing in steel structures means you are better able to sustain a sanitary and pristine processing and storage environment.

Steel buildings create confidence in physical security

While cybersecurity remains a critical concern for businesses, physical security should not be overlooked. The use of cold-formed steel as the primary building material reinforces facilities, and acts as an impregnable barrier against intruders, accidental damage and weather-related threats. Implementing robust access controls and employing state-of-the-art security measures combine with steel’s strength and durability to protect valuable assets from theft, damage or destruction. Moreover, steel's resilience against fire, mold and pests makes it the optimal choice for safeguarding people, materials and information. Invest in steel buildings so your business can ensure its longevity and security of assets, bolster its bottom line and foster peace of mind in an increasingly complex society.

Give us all call to discuss your building needs. Our team at Summit Steel Buildings is excited to learn more about your business and how we can provide you with a building solution that custom to you. Call us at 877-417-8335 for a free quote and to receive your preliminary drawings.